Switch



J. A. HIRST AND P. s. BROOK;

SWITCH. I APPLICATION fluzu SEPT. 14, 1920. 1 ,425,769. P n e Aug. 15, 1922.

-4 SHEET$SHEET l- J. A. HIRST AND P. S. BROOK.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14. 1920.

.1 2 5, 7 9 Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

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dob/7 Ar'ffiur' 60M),

. .QQk'cy Sm/ffi Brook, 4V w- J. A. HI'HST AND P. S/BROOK.

SWIIGH.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1920.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922'.

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Percy A kam A Patented Aug. 15, 1922?,

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.ioltiir ALttTHIiR miter Ann t tties s'lvrrrtteltooti, of Crip 'srha, i

swime'ii of Letters Application filed September 14,1920. Serial No. 4103575.

To rdl whom it may comm:

7 Be it known that we, .JoHJ ARrIrUR rlmsr, and Pnncr SMITH BRooK, sub ectS of the King of Great .Britain, residing in the city and county of Chester, England,

- having invented certain new anduse-t'ul Im-.

provernents in and Relating to Switches, of

i which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to rotary switches actuated by a stepTby-Step' movement imparted by an oscillating handle which also by a secondary movement actuates an auxiliary switch, such for example as are described in the U. S. application filedby us on the 17th day of September, 1920, Serial No. 410,976, and the object is to improve and simplify the said mechanism and lockting means so'as to render the operation of the switch and the locking thereof more certain.

According to the present invention the handle controlled mechanism is enclosed in a, two-part casing the one part ofvvhich is fixed and the other part ofwhich (referred to as the handle part is angularly movable; the two parts are provided with integral segmental flanges; and the one has a de-' tachable segmental flange; these flanges retain the parts in proper axial position and permit relative angular movement'between them, and areso arranged that the engaging flanges; of the one par-t; pass through the segmental spaces between the flanges of the other part an'dare held in placebytheremovable segmental part. The handle part, when theffull on position is reached, by the instrumentality of an axially .rnovable locking. piece carried and axially movable with. the auxilia-iyswitch spindle and rotatingwith'the main ratchet. locked against fur ther movement, until the handle is released,

and by its movement, relatively to the handle part- (preferably in an axial plane normal to its spindle) causes ,the cam of the said spindle toinove the locking piece axially out of engagement with a detent or detent locking lever Damage to the switch by the too sudden operation of the handle is. prevented by loading the handle pawl so that on any attempt to move it too quickly it is by. the, action of centrifugal force, moved out of engagement with its ratchet. The overrunningof the device at the end of each stroke is prevented by a reversely set ratchet,sthe pawl of which is carried from the fixedpart of the handle casing and is of each forward stroke.

-.The invention is illustrated in the accom panying drawings in which Figs 1 to 3 illustrate the arrangement in whichf-the handle has a semi-circular part embracing the casing; a reverselysetratchet is fitted to prevent over-running; and the locking. is effected by engagement with the pawl of the reversely setratchet. 1 i Fig. 1 is a side elevation )artly in sec tion on a longitudinal'plane l, I of Fig. Fig-2 is an elevation partl in section on a transverse plane II, II of. ig, 1.;

Fig. 3 is an outside elevation viewed fromv the handle part end;

Fig. 4 is a View similar: to Fig. 1, but sh ows the arrangement when the cam spindle is a prolongation of the handle axis.

3 Figs. 5to 8 show the arrangen'i'entwhen caused to eng ge with its ratchet at the end the locking is effected by engagement with the-main ratchet. t o Fig. 5 is a side elevation part1; .in" sec-,

Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is an elevation partly in section on the transverse plane V1,;VI, of Fig. 5.

shows the locking parts in engagement.

the handle part'end." z L 1 Referring ,first to Figs. 1 to 3:-

A isthe fixed partand B themovabl'ei part of the handle casing; C isthe switch operating spindle or sleeve and c i's the, clutch carried therebywhich-is adapted to engage a correspondingclutch on the ma n switch spindle; D is the auxiliary ,s'witch. operating spindle, the; insulated end al of which engageswith an axially disposeda'nd tion ,on the longitudinal plane V-, of so movable rodwhich ,operates the auxiliary spindle (not shown); p H H isthe handlehaving, in this modifi;

cation, a semi-circular extension carrying.

endvbosse's h which are-fixed .to thepro:

truding ends of-a' spindle h mounted in the bosses b formed in the movable partB of the casing; this spindle h carries a cam. h which imparts axial movement to theauxili ry..sw itch spindle and the parts attached thereto. 7

The part Act the handle casing. is provided with segmental flanges'a and the part.

B with segmental flanges b andthe part B is introduced into positionin the partA' by introducing the .flanges' 6* through the.

segmental spaces between the flanges M; by turning the part B, these flanges a 9 and the flange b on B interlock axially, and they are retained in position by the insertion, in one of the segmental gaps in the fixed part A of the detachable flange piece a The main ratchet 0 the reversely set ratchet c and the indicator or shutter 0* are fixed to the main switch operating spindle C and rotate with it, and the locking piece d is mounted on the auxiliary switch spindle D but it is caused to rotate with the spindle C and the main ratchets and re* versely set ratchets by means oi a pin (Z which permits it to move axially in relation to these parts.

The main ratchet c is operated by a pawl b pivoted on a pin 6 carried from the boss 6 of the handle part B of the casing, and the reverse ratchet 0 is adapted at the end of each forward stroke of the handle. part B to engage with a detent a? carried by a pin from the boss a on the detachable segmental piece a attached, by screws, to the fixed part A of the casing. The detent (1 has fixed to it and moving with it a locking lever a and a pin 6 carried by the lug b on the handle part B engages with the outer surface of the locking lever a and presses it and the detent a inwardly against the action of a spring 5" on the pivot pin of the detent a? and lever a so that at the end of each said stroke the forward movement of the reversely set ratchet 0 is arrested by the detent a, .l Vhen the handle part makes its return stroke the pin Z) disengages from the locking lever and the spring of the detent a turns it clear of the reverse ratchet c and so permits the next forward stroke to be made.

When the gear has been turned to the full on position, the locking piece (Z will have been turned into that angular position in which. its hook-shaped nose will engage with the end of the locking lever a when the'latter has been pressed down by the pin 6 into engagement with the reverse ratchet the gear will thus be positively locked against further movement until the handle Hfis released, when it will be turned down through 180 in the direction of the arrow by acoil spring 71 on the handle spindle 72 and will rotate the cam 7L and so permit a coil spring on theswitch rod in line with the spindle D to move the latter axially; this axialmovement displaces the locking piece (Z from engagement with the locking lever I a whereupon the spring of the latter turns it and the detent a into'the position shown in Fig. 2. I

Should it be desired to move the switch gear into its oil position the handle H is grasped and returned to the position shown.

in Fig 1' whereupon the cam moves the spindle D and locking piece d which. mQV

clear of the locking lever in its retracted position (see Fig. 2). The gear can now be turned by the to-and-fro movement of the handle to its off position from which, when it'is desired to operate the gear again it can be turned step-by-step to its full on position where it is again arrested as described.

Thetull on and the off positions are indicated by indicator or shutter 0 on which these words are printed and come opposite a glazed window a on the part A.

The cam k is fixed on the spindle k and held in axial position by the sleeve h dotted lines Fig. As the angular movement of this is 180 the full portion of it may be made to embrace a considerable angle; any small oscillation of the handle H about its spindle it? does not therefore move the spindle D or the parts connected to it.

The main pawl b may be weighted by having a weight 6 cast on the end of it as shown by dotted lines Fig. 2, which weight will, by centrifugal force be moved outwardly if the handle be moved too suddenly. I

The fixed part A of the handle part is attached to say, the main switch gear .case by bolts passing through the lugs a and the movable part has an end inspection cover [2 Referring now to'Fig. l;

in this modification the parts are, with the exception of the handle H constructed as described. The handle spindle h is now made as a prolongation of the handle and is mounted in bosses it the cam la is as bei ore mounted on the handle spindle and the latter is controlled by a spring 75*. The action is the same as that described, except that in order to operate the gear the handle H, when grasped by the hand, has to be twisted about its axis in opposition to the spring.

Referring now to Figs, 5 to 8 2* The construction of the fixed and moving or hand e parts A and B of the casing, the handle H, flanges m and b the flange b the spindle 7L cam h spindles C and D are substantially similar to the corresponding parts describedin connection with Figs. 1 to lnthe arrangement of Figs. 5 to 8, which is the preierred one, the locking of the gear when the full on position has been reached is effected by lockingthe main pawl 6 The modification of construction is as follov. s:-

The reversely set ratchet and its detent and theoperating pin for the latter may be fitted as described to prevent over-running, but they are omitted from Figs. 5 to 8; the main ratchet c and the shutter c are mounted'on the main switch spindle C as before and the main pawl b is pivotally carried by 'the pin fixed to'the part B of the easv the pawl Z2 has fixed to it a transverse n a is a lockin levercarried on which fitsia the segme talsp ce between the segmental: flanges a and hordsthe peas A and B from separating axially (when the segmental flanges of the one part cc-me p posite the segmental sp cefs of the other).

The locking lever a is daptedwhen turned into the; position shown in] Fig: 7 iate'whieh position it is'tur'n'ed wl'ien' the gear is in its full on position to engage thc' pin Z2 on the pawl part B fixed, but it is controlled by a spring (6 whi h normally maintains it against th limit stop" in di osition; shown in Fig. 6' in [which it leaves thepia 1P free.

The locking piece elf? which as before is mountedon the spindle and causedto turn with this spindle and the main ratchet by means of a pinfc'l .sliding in a hole in th" ratchet o when the gear reaches its full' n po it the ins' p s?v En s" thelocking l"e v i""'a ee 6) and turns into a d; was it in t e rb it o ie b F g i j h h iens e ia r a pawlb f midiocksthe ar'.

hen the handle released and turned byit's spring through 180 the cam releases the spindle D, whicli as described moves axially outward and carries the locking piece d with it, this fr'ee'sjthe locking lever which is tlfcn' turiie d its" spring the position shown i'n Fig; 6 in which position as will be seen the posi- L tion of the locking. lever' in Fig. 6 and the 1ockingpieee in itis clear of the locking" piece which can be moved axially back again as soon as the handle' H', is turned up. 9 In other respects theconstruction and action is similar to that described in connection with Figsil tee:

The details of construction may bevari'ed f for'instance the we parts A" and B to which the respective parts are attached need not necessarily be made in the form of casings though this construction has the advantage of compactness and encloses the parts effectively. v

The handle gear may be applied to any form of switch gear, which is operated stepby-step by a to-and-fro movement; and though it is particularly applicable to cases where an auxiliary switch operated as described forms part of the gear it may, by fitting a plain spindle D switch operating spindle be used for switches without an auxiliary switch which needs to be operated by the transverse movement of the handle.

Having now fully described our invention we declare that what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An electric switch operating mechanism comprising a handle member mounted to be capable of movement in two directions,

6 and hold the latte'rf and the handle,

instead of a.

switch operating? connections whereby step s'aid directions operates a switch injember from ofi to oii positions and vice versa, switch operating connections whereby ovemerit of said handle intl'ieotlier of said diirections operates another switch member, an tomatic switch locking means arranged to completed its full onmovement in said first nain'ed direction and means operated by'tli'e' movement of the handle in said secbnddirection 7 for unlocking said switch? locking" saidreciprocating member, an operating member mounted to oscillate about the axis" of said rotary member a'nd also to have movement in a plane coincident withsaid axis, means whereby tlie movement of said handle saidfir'stj named direction operates sardfrotary switch membe1', means whereby movementoii the handle in the plane, ofsaid a'Xis' operates the reciprocating" switeh'mein ber', means for automatically locking said operating member when movedtoffulhon position, and, means operated by movement of the" handle inthe plane efsaid' aiiis' for unlocliin gsaid ioeking'rneans. 7

spin an electric switch operating device; v a reci' reeaa'a switch I operat'i 3' member, a rotary i-ch peratin 1s ber mounted to have'a step by St tary movement" about said"v recipi can i v. d ting said rotary nieh'ibeti:

member, tl-i tl dr verse rock shaft ha ne'c'tions for op a I p liandle'connectecbtosaid r elshare there's-r, a" miscarried sa-i'd' rock sha on reaching full on position, and means actuated by said cam for unlocking said look rotary switch operating member, rotatable about said reciprocating member as an axis, a handle member movable in a plane. perpen- 16's capable of pivotal moveineifitabout the t arto actuate fs aid' mom-i her, means for looking sald rotary member v dicularto'said axis and also in the plane of said axis, pawl andratchet means whereby movement of the handle in said firstnamed plane imparts a step by step movement to said rotary switch operating member, means whereby movement of the handle in the 1'- plane of the axismoves' said. reciprocating switch operating'member, means for automatically locking said pawl and .ratchet mechanism on full on position of said rotary member, and means whereby movement of said handle in said axial planeunlocks said locking means. I

movable switch operating shaft, an operating handle capable ofmovement in two directions, means whereby movement of said handle in one direction operates said spindle, said means including a ratchet on the spindle and pawl mechanism cooperating therewith, means whereby movement of said handle in the other direction operates said shatt, a locking member mounted on said shaft and, rotating with the ratchet, a locking pawl arranged to be operated by said locking mernher to engage the ratchet when full on position is reached, and means whereby move ment of said handle in said other direction imparts axial movement to said locking member to release said locking pawl.

6. In an electric switch operating device a rotary switch operating spindle, an axially movable switch operating sh aft, a transverse shaft journalled in bearings which are revoluble about the axis of said spindle, a handle having a yoke connected to said shaft, means whereby the revolution of said bearings about said aXisope-rates said rotary switch operatingmember, and a cam on said shaft arranged to operate said rotary switch operating member.

7. In an electric switch operating device a rotary switchoperating spindle, an axially movable switch operating shaft, a stationary casing part, a second casing part rotatably connected therewith, means whereby the rotary movement of said second part operates said spindle, a handle for operating said rotary casing part, said handle being capable of movement in one direction relative to said second part, and means whereby movementof the handle in said direction operates said axially movable shaft.

8. Inan electric switch operating device a rotarytubular switch operating spindle, an axially movable switch operating shaft within said spindle, a stationary casing part in which said spindle is rotatably mounted, a removable casing part forming with said first named casing part a closure, said casing part having segmental engaging tongue and groove portions forming a detachable con-- nection, a detachable member for holding said tongue and groove portions against accidental displacement, means whereby ro. tary movement of said removable casing part operates said spindle, and means for axially moving said shaft.

9. In an electric switch operating device a rotatable switch operating spindle, an aux iliary switch shaft concentrically mounted in. and axially movable relatively to the said spindle, a spring controlled transverse shaft mounted so as to be angularly movable aboutthe axis of the said-spindle, having afork, a handle attached to said shaft, a cam on said transverse shaft arranged to actuate the auxiliary shaft, a ratchet on the said spindle, pawl coacting with said ratchet and opera tively connected with said transverse-shaft, a locking piece carried by the said auxiliary shaft and rotated by the said spindle and a lockinglever adapted to be moved into a position in which it locks the said pawl and ratchet, and which releases the said locking lever when it is moved axially when the handleis released and turns about the axis of thesaid transverse shaft.

In testimony whereof we afliX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN ARTHUR HIRST.

I PERCYSMITH BROOK.

lVitnesses to the signature of John Arthur Hirst:

JOSEPH-E. Hins'r, MARGUERITA JoNns.

Witnesses to the signature of Percy Smith Brook:

W, LLOYD BARNES,- JOSEPH E. HIRSI. 

